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(Model.)- 4 sneens-sheenz.

J. RAPIEFF. AUXILIARY VALVE POR PNEUMTIG GUNS.

No. 502,016. Patented July 25, 1893.

(Model.)

l 4 She'ets-Sheet J. RAPIEPF.. j AUXILIARY VALVE FOR PNEUMATIC GUNS Patented July 25, 1898.

(Modem) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.'-

v J. RAPIEFF. AUXILIARY VALVE FOR PlllllATIOl GUNS. No. 502.016.

Patented July 25, `1893'.-

INVENTOR M dw Y r -,v,

ATTORNEY Nieren 'rames JOHN RAPIEFF, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUXILIARY VALVE FOR PNEUMATIC GUNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,016, dated July 2 5, 1893. Application tiled September 9, 1889. Renewed November 15, 1892. Serial No. 452,049. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RAPIEFF, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Valves for Pneumatic Guns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to pneumatic delivery valves actuated by pressure of the compressed fluid which they control, and in which the valve is maintained on its seat by the pressure applied to a predominating area on the back of the valve as opposed to the same pressure applied to a less area at the opposite or opening end of the valve; and my invention is especially applicable to such valves as used in pneumatic ordnance to perform the act of firing. Y

My invention consists or an improved pressure actuated auxiliary Valve for exhausting and restoring the retaining pressure at the back of the delivery or tiring valve; and the obj ect of my improvementis to insure the accuracy of the opening, dwelling, and closing periods of the iringvalve and the corresponding accuracy of the range of the projectile which is dependent upon the volume of compressed air or gas delivered.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to understand and use the same, I will proceed to describe its construction in detail, explain its operation, and point out in the appended claims its novel characteristics; reference being had t`o the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a sectional elevation ot' a firing valve of the annular type, and its casing, showing the auxiliary valve with its accessories and its casing partij,1 in section on the line m-, Fig. 2. Fig. 2, is an inverted plan view of Fig. 1, showing the hand operated starting mechanism for the auxiliary valve partly in section. Fig. 3, is a sectional detail view of a pneumatic starting' mechanism for the auxiliary valve. Fig. 4, is a detail view pertaining to Fig. 2. Fig. 5, is an enlarged sectional detail view of the auxiliary valve and its casing taken on the line y-y, Fig. 1; Figs. 6, 7, and 8, similar sectional views of the auxiliary valve showing different positions thereof 5 and Fig. 9, a sectional view showing a hand operated valve connective with the pneumatic starting device illustrated in Fig. 3.

The annular firing valve 1, seats at 25, and retracts into the chamber 4, at the back of it, within which the valve retaining pressure is charged or exhausted. k

5, is the chamber to which opening pressure is applied constantly to the opposite less area of the valve 1.

2, is the annular port surrounding the valve l, connecting with the storage reservoir.

3, is the port connecting to the-gunv barrel.

6, is the charging and exhausting port ot the chamber 4, and which the auxiliary valve 7, in casing 8, controls.

9, is the supply port connected with a pressure source, such as the storage reservoir.

10, is a throttle and stop valve controlling the air supply, and governing its rate of ow into the chamber 4, returning the firing valve to its seat, being thereby capable of employment as a timing element to the'tiring valve.

The throttle 10, consists of a plug, the same prevented from turning in its seat by a suitable feather, and adjustable upon a screw 11, having a hand-Wheel 12,- rotating in a permanent position.

13, is a scale indicator consisting of a sliding bar that is moved by engagement ot teeth thereon with a screw thread on the periphery of the hand-wheel. There is also a graduating scale on the rim of the wheel, as indicated in Fig. .4, extending entirely about its circumferencev and which is read from the index 14.

The valve 7, is composed of connected pistons of differential diameters, the piston 15 predominating in area over that of the piston 16.

18, is the exhaust passage which is opened or closed to the port 6, of the tiring valve retaining pressure chamber by the movement of the piston 16. i

The exhaust passage 18 (Fig. 1,) is regulated in capacity by an adjustable valve 19, controlling the outlet openings 20. The cap 21, which bears a scale, as in Fig. 3, is rotative upon a fixed screw 22, which gives it a gradual longitudinal motion covering or uncovering the openings 20, more or less. 23, is a jam nut for binding the cap when adjusted.

The space between the differential pistons IOO l5, and 16, has constant connection with the pressure supply port 9, in all positions of the valve.

The spaces 17, 25, the passages 26, and a receiving chamber 27, are normally charged with pressure by the release of which the differential pistons are moved by the constant y"pressure in the interspace thereof to open the exhaust piston 16.

The exhaust piston 1G,seats upon packings at 28, and at the advanced stroke of the valve, the larger piston 15 seats upon packings at 29.

31, is a plunger extension ot' the piston valve 15, the portion 30, of which tits the cylindric chamber 17, its function being to start the valve on its return stroke when pressure is applied in the chamber 17.

32, is a vthrottling valve for throttling or cramping the port 33, through which pressure is admitted at a given rate of flow from the receiving chamber 27, to the valve returning chamber 17.

The throttling valve 32, closes the port 33, more or less according to the advancement of its inclined surface therein, and it is rotative upon a screw thread 34, by the rotation ot' a cap 35, bearing an indicating scale upon its exterior asin Fig. 1.

The stem 36 engages with the slotted shank of the cramping valve 32, and rotates in a ixedpositiomits shoulder37,attordingapacking surface.

rFhe stem 36 is grooved to engage with a spline 38 in the cap 35, and rotate with it. The cap 35, is screw threaded to the casing so that in rotation, it also moves lengthwise and may be thereby employed to indicate upon a unit scale 40 (Fig. 1), While the fractional scale 4l, graduates the adjustments.

The valve 7, is wholly pressure operated, and there is a second valve interior to it, the initial movement of which is imparted at will, the remainder ofits movements being l automatic.

46,` is the operating stem to the inner valve, and the same is provided with a stop 47, that` engages with an abutment 48, composing a bearing ot the stem. The abutment 48, arrests the advance stroke of the interior valve 45, before the exterior valve 7, has completed its stroke. The seating end 50, of the valve 45, controls the exhaust of the receiving chamber 27, and chamber 17, by which event the exterior Valve becomes active. The interior valve 45, is of differential diameter, the end 5l, predominating, whereby an opening pressure surface is obtained at 52. 'l'he passages 53, in the exterior valve connect constantly with pressure. The passages 54, connect with the receiving chamber 27, as also the passages 50, when the exterior valve is normal.

When the interior valve is normal, a passage 57 therein, connects passages 53, 54; therefore admitting pressure to chambers 27, 17, retaining the valve 7, on its seat 28.

When the interior valve is advanced to a certain extent passages 59,GO,61, therein conneet passages 56, with the space 62, and thence about and beneath the opening end 50, of the inner valve.`

63, is a passage whereby pressure from port 9, through 53, is admitted to chamber G5, to retain the inner valve on its seat when in its normal position. The passage 63, connects with chamber 65, through passages 61, 60 and 64.

rlhe successive events of operation of the valves 7, and 45, will be hereinafter explained.

Referring now to the hand operated starting mechanism for giving initial opening to 'the valve 45; that shown in Figs. 1, and 2, corresponds substantially to that described and claimed by me in a separate patent application, tiled simultaneously herewith; and 4lthat shown by Figs. 3, and 9, and claimed herein is equally applicable to the herein described auxiliary valve, and to the one de scribed in the said separate application or to other forms of auxiliary valves similarly operated.

In Fig. 2, 70, is the gunnershand lever; 71, the continuation of the valve stem 4G; 72 the g valve stem notch; 73, the lever actuated i spring paw] engaging therewith; 74, the second spring pawl moving with the first pawl engaging with a notch or spur 75, thereon, 1 when the first paWl is thrown out of the i valve stem notch by the continued movement lot `the valve 45, beyond that imparted by hand. 76, is the tripper for disengaging the second paWl from the first pawl during the f retracting stroke of the lever. The lever 70, is fulcrumed at 77. The pawl 73, is ful crumed at 78, to the lever70, andthe pawl 74, i fulcrumed to the lever at 79. The advanced position of such parts is indicated by dotted llines. The spring 80, is in the present instance used to counteract the pressure in the j space 65, upon the inner valve 45, during the 1' first movement of opening.

In Fig. 3, the stem 71, bearsa piston 81, litf ting abushing having exhaustports 82, which connect with the atmosphere. The piston 8l, l covers the exhaust ports when the valve 45 is 1 normal, but opens them immediately after the said valve 45, has been advanced to the posi tion of Fig. 6, and becomes self-acting. The r air pipe 83, connects the pressure side of the piston 81, with the passage 84, shown in Fig. v9. The device in Fig. 9, is located at any j convenient distance from the firing valve acl cording as circumstances may require.

85, is a chamber of a limited volume, and is normally connected with a compressed air supply pipe 86, through passages 87, 88 in a Q puppet valve 89. The puppet valve seats toward the outlet connecting to the passage g 84 and pipe 83, and tits in the form of a plunger in cylindric margins of its seat. Thepasl sages 88, in the smaller plunger part of the valve are cut oit when the valve is lifted from l its seat. g 90, is the hand lever, used in lieu of the llever 70, and its heel 91, engages 'with the valve stem 92, to perform the act of tiring.

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In operation, in Figs. 3, and 9, the movement of the lever 90, first cuts off the supplyv pipe 86, confining a measured volume of compressed air in the chamber 85. Such movement next opens the seating aperture of the valve 89, ad mittiug the limited volume of air to the piston 81, starting the innerauxiliary valve 45.Y As soon as the movement has become sufficient to exhaust the chamber'65, and the auxiliary valve is rendered automatic, the exhaust passages 82, are opened delivering the measured fluid permitting the return of the piston 81, as the auxiliary valve retracts.

Referring now to the operation illustrated by Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, and commencing with Fig. 5, the valves are in a normal or inactive position. As the valve stemv46, advances, the events occur and result in the following order: First, the space 57, is cut olf from the passages 58; severing the air supply to chambers 17, and 27. Second, the space or passage 62, is cut off from the passages 53, severing the air supply to chamber 65, this being the position in Fig. 6. Third, the exhaust end 50 of the interior valve opens, terminating the period of the gunners control; the pressure through passages 53,'becoming active on the differential area of the inner valve at 52, as the pressure in chamber 65 is exhausted vmoving the inner valve to the position of Fig. 7. Fourth, the passages'59, coincide with the passages 56, exhausting the chambers 27, and 17, through the core of the valve 45, and space 62, and seat. Fifth, the pressure in the interspace from 9, upon the differential pistonsof the valve 7, moves the same, unseating the exhaust piston 16, disconnecting ports 6, and 9, and connecting ports l6, and 18. Both valves movegtogether from the position assumed in Fig. 7, until the inner valve 45, is arrested by its stop 47, closing the passages 56, restoring pressure to space 65, and reseating it; .while the outer valve 7, completes its advancing stroke. Sixth, the passages 26 are connected by the interspace of the valve 7, instantaneously charging the receiving chamber 27, with pressure as the valve completes its advancing stroke to the position of Fig. 8; the pressure flowing at a measured rate into the chamber 17, determining the duration of dwell of the valve 7, and the corresponding dwell of thering valve. Seventh, the return stroke of both valves 7, and 45, together to their normal positions, by pressure upon the plunger 31, in chamber 17. As soon as the tted part 30, of the plunger 31, leaves the chamber 17, the pressure exerts itself on the full area of piston 15, and impartsa quick stroke; the pressure being maintained as before in 17 and 27, after the valves have closed. The projection 100, acts to close the passage 64, when the interior valve is at the advancing, extremity of its stroke, to prevent premature access of returning pressure to chamber 65.

The movements of the tiring valve consist of an instantaneous opening movement, a variable open dwell, and an instantaneous closing movement, the volume of compressed fluid delivered depending on the duration of such open dwell, and the range of the projectile being governed accordingly for a given angle of elevation of the gun.

The exhaust of the port 6, into outlet 18, by the quick stroke of the valve 7, eects the instantaneous opening movement of the firing valve. The dwell thereof is determined by the rate of flow permitted by the valve 32,55/ the adjustment of the indexed cap 35; and the restoration Vof pressure to the port 6, by the quick return stroke of the valve 7, effects the instantaneous closing movement of the tiring valve to its seat.

The confined space 5, in which an opening pressure 'is constantly applied to the firing valve is a feature claimed by me in a separate patent application filed simultaneously herewith.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is`

. 1. The combination with a pressure actuated fluid vdelivery valve, of an auxiliary differential piston valve having thespace bef tween its pistons permanently connected with the pressure source, a port of the delivery valve retaining pressure chamber connected with said space between the` differential pistons when the auxiliary valve is normal, an exhaust outlet exterior to the v less piston and to which the delivery valve port is connected when the pistons are advanced, a receiving chamber normally charged with pressure connected by a port to the space exterior to the greater piston when the valve is normal, but connected by' such port to the interspace lof the differential pistons when the same are advanced, a portv of regulated capacity connecting from the receiving chamber to the piston cylinder at a portion thereof beyond the range of advance stroke of the pistons, and an internal hand operated exhaust valve controlling exhaust ports, in the differential valve, whereby the said receiving chamber is exhausted for the purposes specified.

y, 2. The combination inl an auxiliary valve adapted for the purposes described, of differential connected pistons, asupply port p'ermanently connected to the interspace of the pistons, a` delivery valve retaining pressure port connected with the said interspace when IIO the pistons are in a normal position, exhaust charged with pressure, differential connected cylinder pistons, the interspace whereof is permanently connected with a supply port, means, independently operative on ports through the piston adjacent the closed end of the cylinder, whereby such closed end is exhausted, a receiving chamber normally charged with pressure being connected to the said closed end of the cylinder, a port of the receiving chamber located in the cylinder to connect with the interspace of the pistons at or near the termination of their opening stroke and a port of regulated capacity permanently connectingr the receiving chamber with the closed end of the cylinder.

et. The combination with a diiferential conn ected auxiliary piston valve, adapted to control the'ring valve supply and exhaust ports as specified, of a closed chamber or chambers of the cylinder opposite the greater piston, and an independent exhaust valve interior to the piston valve controlling passages therein whereby the said chamber or chambers are connected with the atmosphere.

5. The combination of a primary differential piston valve, adapted for the purposes specified, a normally charged chamber or chambers exterior to its greater end, an cxhaust outlet exterior to its less end, a secondary diderential piston (or plunger) exhaust valve interior to said primary valve,

controlling ports therein, connected to the` said chamber or chambers, said secondary valve seating at its lesser end toward and within the exhaust end of the primary valve, means whereby the greater end of the secondary valve is normally connected with pressure, a supplemental space 52, of the differential areas of the secondary valve constantly connected with pressure; the said ports being located relatively to each other whereby the initial movement of the secondary valve will iirst cut off the pressure opposite the greater end thereof, and second exhaust the same through its seat, and whereby the pressure becomes active upon the said supplemental space for the purposes specified.

G. The combination with the primary differential valve, and the secondary differential valve therein operative as specified, of a valve stem to the secondary valve provided with a stop, and an abutment therefor, whereby the exhaustion of the space exterior to the greater end of the primary valve is terininated before the completion of the latters stroke for the purposes specified.

7. The combination of the differential piston primary valve, a closed chamber or chambers opposite the greater piston thereof, the secondary valve reciprocative within the primary valve, the passages 53, 5i, in the primary valve, and the passage 57, in the secondary valve whereby the said chamber or chambers are charged when both 'valves are normal.

8. The combination with an auxiliary valve having its initial movement imparted at will, and its remaining movements automatic, of a pneumatic valve starter, consisting of an actuating piston connected to the auxiliary valve, and exhaust ports in the casingof such piston normally closed by the piston but opened thereby subsequent to the completion of said initial movement of the auxiliary valve, and means, whereby a measured quantity of fiuidis delivered to actuate the piston.

9. The combination of the pneumatic auxiliary valve starting piston and its exhaust passages arranged as described of the confined chamber 85, the releasing valve, the tiring lever for opening it, and a shank of the releasing valve fitting asupply inlet, and having passages to close the same prior to the release of pressure by the opening |novement of the releasing valve.

10. In a pneumatic gun, an auxiliary tiring valve and ports controlled thereby, in combination with a secondary valve movable with and independent of theauxiliary valve, starting mechanism connected to the secondary valve, exhaust and pressure ports and passages connecting the cylinders of the two valves, said ports and passages being unaffected by the starting movement of the secondary valve, an exhaust port in the cylinder of the secondary valve which exhausts both ends of said cylinder upon the starting movement of said valve, and pressure surface in said secondary valve intermediate said exhausted ends, said surface in communication with the pressure reservoir whereby said secondary valve is caused to automatically complete its opening stroke, substantially as described.

JOIIN RAPIEFF.

Witnesses:

H. F. PARKER, CHAs. HANIMANN.

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